Education

What is affordable housing?

The federal government recognized housing as “affordable” if it costs no more than 30% of the monthly household income for rent and utilities. Most affordable housing developments are built for families and individuals with incomes of 60% or less than the Area Median Income (AMI).

The price our community pays for high housing costs in our area is steep. It makes it harder for local school districts to recruit and retain teachers for our children, and the local fire department to hire firefighters. When the cost of housing consumes the majority of a household’s income, choices between one basic necessity and another can surface. It’s not uncommon for households to face choices between paying the rent and paying for food or even health care.

The bottom line is that everyone in our community deserves housing, and it’s imperative for the future health of our communities that we find a way forward to create housing for all.

Regional

Housing Needs Allotment

Click or tap on each city pin to see what the Regional Housing Needs Allotment is for your city.

Sonoma County AMI

Median Income in Sonoma County

Income Levels One Person Two Person Three Person Four Person Five Person Six Person Seven Person Eight Person
60% $49,920 $57,060 $64,200 $71,280 $77,040 $82,740 $88,440 $94,140
55% $41,600 $47,550 $53,500 $59,400 $64,200 $68,950 $73,700 $78,450
50% $41,600 $47,550 $53,500 $59,400 $64,200 $68,950 $73,700 $78,450
45% $37,400 $42,795 $48,150 $53,460 $57,780 $62,005 $66,330 $70,605
40% $33,280 $38,040 $42,800 $47,520 $51,360 $55,160 $58,960 $62,760
35% $29,120 $33,285 $37,450 $41,580 $44,940 $48,265 $51,590 $54,915
30% $24,960 $28,530 $32,100 $35,640 $38,520 $41,370 $44,220 $47,070

What are the Rent Limits in Napa County?

Affordable Rents = Affordable Housing. See current rent limits.

Napa County AMI

Median Income in Napa County

Income Levels One Person Two Person Three Person Four Person Five Person Six Person Seven Person Eight Person
60% $52,980 $60,540 $68,100 $75,660 $81,720 $87,780 $93,840 $99,900
55% $48,564 $55,495 $62,425 $69,355 $74,910 $80,465 $86,020 $91,575
50% $44,150 $50,450 $56,750 $63,050 $68,100 $73,150 $78,200 $83,250
45% $39,735 $45,405 $51,075 $56,745 $61,290 $65,835 $70,380 $74,925
40% $35,320 $40,360 $45,400 $50,440 $54,480 $58,520 $62,560 $66,600
35% $30,905 $35,315 $39,725 $44,135 $47,670 $51,205 $54,740 $58,275
30% $26,490 $30,270 $34,050 $37,830 $40,860 $43,890 $46,920 $49,950

What are the Rent Limits in Napa County?

Affordable Rents = Affordable Housing. See current rent limits.

REsident Stories

Helping residents in their community

Lucia Barton de Toledo

Lucia Barton de Toledo

Santa Rosa, CA

Lucia Barton de Toledo, also known as “Lucha, the fighter,” is a fiery 61-year-old woman with a lot of passion. She is a star volunteer who leads the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s produce distribution every Monday, serving hundreds of pounds of food to her neighbors

Lucia moved to the United States from Mexico in 1974, bringing her three younger siblings to the States and continued to work as a farm laborer and a line cook.

Affordable housing was a lifesaver. “I think I would be homeless otherwise. I live here in peace. I want to work, but I cannot. There were moments when I wanted to give it all up; living was such torment. I give thanks that I am here. This place is clean, safe and well cared for.”

Linda Graham

Linda Graham

Santa Rosa, CA

Linda Graham’s life was turned upside down in January 2007, when her doctor told her that she had an inoperable brain aneurysm. It took Linda 13 months to recover after a successful operation, but she had lost her job and then her home in Vallejo in the process.

While staying in Sebastopol, a friend encouraged her to get on the waiting list at Burbank Housing. Then she found out about Amorosa Village Apartments in Santa Rosa. The timing worked out, and Linda has lived there for four years now.

When asked about how affordable housing has changed her life, Linda replied: “Losing my job and house was humbling, but nothing happens accidentally. I needed to regain my confidence and Burbank allowed me that opportunity. Thank God I had a place to go. I am now able to look into my ministry, my new calling.”

Alysza B. Van Til

Alysza B. Van Til

Windsor, CA

Alysza retired from her second career as a minister, and before that she was “one of the few female high school teachers in the 1950s.” When asked how affordable housing changed her life, Alyzsa responded: “This place is so beautiful. I get to visit my family more, and see my niece in Petaluma for holidays.”

“I feel very blessed and inspired by the beauty, the trees and the garden here. I can walk around. I love where I live.” Alysza also knits prayer shawls in her spare time and has made over 1,000 shawls in the last ten years. “Everyone at Vinecrest has one with the exception of the new residents,” she says.